Inusah Fuseini: Wontumi’s 20‑year sentence legal under mining act
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, says the 20-year jail term imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, should not come as a surprise because it falls within the punishment framework approved by Parliament for illegal mining offences.
Reacting to the sentence, Fuseini pointed out that lawmakers strengthened Ghana’s mining laws in 2019 at the height of concerns over the impact of galamsey on rivers, forests and farmlands. He noted that Parliament ultimately opted for harsher penalties than those initially proposed.
According to him, the final law provided for prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 years for certain illegal mining offences, making Wontumi’s 20-year sentence one that sits within the limits set by legislation.
Fuseini recalled that members of the then NPP Majority supported increasing the punishment, arguing that the original proposal was not severe enough to deter offenders.
“The Majority, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, proposed that 10 to 15 years was too low. Parliament itself amended the proposal and substituted it with 15 to 25 years,” he said.
His comments follow widespread debate over the conviction of the NPP regional chairman in the Samreboi illegal mining case. While critics of the judgment have questioned aspects of the trial, Fuseini maintains that the sentence reflects the penalties Parliament intentionally established to combat illegal mining.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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